State Briefs 8/25/08

SPRINGFIELD – Two top members of Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s Cabinet are swapping jobs.

Blagojevich on Monday named James Sledge as new director of the state Department of Central Management Services and Maureen O’Donnell as new director of the Department of Employment Security.

Sledge was named director of IDES by the governor last year, while O’Donnell had served as acting CMS director since March 2007.

The announcement gave no indication why the two were switching roles.

Blagojevich spokeswoman Kelley Quinn compared the swap to reporters changing the beats they cover in newsrooms, saying both directors have many accomplishments while serving the state.

“These new appointments will allow both to fulfill all of their talents to an even greater extent, while continuing to help the people of Illinois,” Quinn said in an e-mailed statement. “This move is an opportunity for growth for both directors.”

IDES oversees paying unemployment benefits for the state and helps connect job-seekers with employers. CMS coordinates administrative services in state agencies, including purchasing, personnel and property management.

Sledge is a former Cook County prosecutor and former executive director of the Illinois Human Rights Commission. O’Donnell has a law degree and an MBA and is a registered nurse who has a long corporate track record.

State Capitol Bureau

Man found dead inside car fire

MILLEDGEVILLE – A 50-year-old man was found dead inside a vehicle fire around 3 a.m. Monday.

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Department received 911 reports of a vehicle on fire parked in a driveway in the 100 block of Main Avenue. Milledgeville fire and police responded to the call and discovered Alan Gregory, 50, inside the vehicle.

Gregory was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Foul play or suicide is not suspected but not ruled out in the incident, Police Chief Jim Haag said in a news release. The incident remains under investigation by the Milledgeville Police Department, the Illinois State Fire Marshall and the Carroll County Coroner’s office.

Milledgeville is about 40 miles south and west of Rockford.

Rockford Register Star

Man accused of fatal shooting gets $1 million bond

GALESBURG — Bond was set at $1 million for a man accused of the Saturday morning shooting death of a Chicago man.

Knox County State’s Attorney John Pepmeyer requested a bond of $1 million, arguing that Marlon Brown, 32, does not have family in Galesburg and no employment. Brown told the court he was employed but Judge Steven Bordner agreed with the state’s request.

Brown faces five counts in connection with the murder of Deriek W. Lawless, 29. According to the charges read in Knox County Circuit Court Monday, Brown faces three counts of first degree murder which carries a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 60 years in prison. He also is charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class 1 felony punishable by four to 15 years in prison, and possession of a weapon by a felon, a Class 3 felony, punishable by two to five years in prison.

According to police, Lawless suffered a gun shot wound to the head just before 2 a.m. Saturday at Andrews Lounge. Lawless was lying in the bar’s parking lot when police arrived. He was pronounced dead at 2:26 a.m. at Galesburg Cottage Hospital.

Officers later searched Brown’s residence and he was taken into custody. His first appearance with his attorney is Friday at 11 a.m.

Galesburg Register-Mail

Arrest warrant leads to standoff

HEYWORTH — Armed tactical units swarmed the home of a Heyworth man Sunday night during an standoff that lasted until around 4 a.m. Monday in the small McLean County town.

Few details are available, but officials did confirm the McLean County Coroner’s Office is investigating, along with the Illinois State Police.

Heyworth Police tried to issue an arrest warrant to a man between 2:30 and 3 p.m. on charges related to an earlier domestic battery report, said Heyworth Police Chief Chris Lane. Upon reaching the man's home Sunday afternoon, officers learned the man, Cletus Ridgewaywas armed and surrounded the home as a precaution.

Illinois State Police tactical unit had swarmed the home Sunday and was attempting to negotiate a voluntary surrender.

However, no contact had been made with him as of 10 p.m. Sunday night and residents were evacuated from within a two- to three-block perimeter around the home, Lane said Sunday night.

Residents in the town of about 2,500 were asked to stay away from the scene, which was blocked off with city police officers as well as McLean County Sheriff's deputies and the Illinois State Police.